2 Ways With Mince

2 Ways With Mince

I always like things that can do more than one meal, so it keeps my budget down and gives me flexibility in he week if I have to change a meal for a quicker one, or one a fussy eater would eat, etc.

Mince can be any type you prefer, but white meat (Chicken or turkey mince) and veggie stuff don’t really work for recipe 2. I use lean beef mince or turkey thigh mince (darker meat)….. Don’t forget. you can also use mince for Cottage Pie !

!. Easy Bolognese

Ingredients: (Serves 4)

10oz/250g Mince

1/2 Red Onion, diced

1 Carrot, diced (or grated if trying to hide from kids)

Passata (about 1/2 of a small carton or a tin, but I do it by eye)

Seasoning: I use a pinch each of Pepper and Dried Sage, but Italian or Parsley work too….have fun experimenting.

1-2 tbsp Oil for cooking

2-3oz/50-75g per person of Dried Pasta or Spaghetti (So around 200-250g for 4)

Instructions:

Put Pasta on to cook as per instructions (usually 15-20 mins)

Heat oil in frying pan and lightly fry the onion and carrot (if carrot dice are too big they’ll still be crunchy, so you may want to par-boil them first, if using)

Add Mince and keep stirring until mince is all brown and cooked through.

Add seasoning and enough Passata to coat the mince and stir.

Serve over cooked pasta topped with grated cheese or sour cream

2. Homemade Burgers: (Serves 4)

Ingredients:

1lb/400g Mince

1tsp each of Dried Parsley and either Sage or Chives (Sage is a warm spice, chives more oniony, your choice)

3 tbsp breadcrumbs (if making them fresh 1 roll or 2 small slices of bread)

1 Beaten Egg (or a tablespoon of wholegrain mustard if you feel adventurous, or need it dairy free)

1 Clove of Garlic, minced

Oil for frying.

Instruction:

If you have no breadcrumbs or garlic mincer, you can either crumble bread by hand and finely chop garlic, or blitz it in food processor with herbs

Mix these dry ingredients with mince and egg (or mustard if you’re braver than me…hubby liked it)…. you can mix with a spoon but your hands are gonna get messy anyway…..

Separate mix into 4 equal parts and make into thick discs.

Put oil on a griddle or frying pan and cook 5 minutes

flip (add cheese to top now if you wish add a pan lid (or metal baking pan on griddle) over burger (to create steam) cook a further 2-4 minutes until all golden, not pink.

Serve on a burger bun (preferably with fried onion!) Enjoy!

You can vary so much by adding extras like Onion, or changing the meat, herbs or heat level (with mustard or a pinch of Chilli powder)…..have fun experimenting!